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Design and Validation of an Eco-Compatible Autonomous Drone for Microplastic Monitoring in Port Environments
Summary
Researchers designed and tested an autonomous drone system for monitoring microplastic pollution in port environments, where plastic tends to accumulate in semi-enclosed waters. The drone collected water surface samples and transmitted data in real time, demonstrating a practical tool for high-frequency environmental monitoring in busy maritime settings.
Marine microplastic pollution has emerged as a pressing environmental issue, with significant implications for aquatic ecosystems, human health and global biodiversity. Ports, acting as semi-enclosed environments, are critical zones where plastic waste, including microplastics, plastic fragments smaller than 5 mm, tend to accumulate. These settings provide controlled conditions that are ideal for deploying innovative solutions to monitor and mitigate the impact of microplastic pollution. This paper presents the design, development and initial testing of an autonomous surface drone engineered specifically to monitor and collect microplastics in port environments. Unlike traditional marine drones, this device operates exclusively at the water surface, leveraging mechanical filtration systems to capture and quantify microplastic fragments. Designed for cost-efficiency, ease of manufacturing and operational simplicity, this drone aligns with principles of environmental sustainability and scalability. By integrating readily available materials and modular components, it offers a replicable model for addressing microplastic pollution in localized aquatic systems.